Message from the Provost and Vice-President, Academic pro tem
Dear Colleagues,
As we prepare for the start of a new academic year at UBC Okanagan, I would like to provide an update on the many excellent academic initiatives and activities underway on our campus. In this edition of Academic Update, we share inspiring stories about student and faculty success, award recognitions, opportunities to connect with our community and updates on programs, funding and more.
I hope that you have enjoyed your summer and are rejuvenated for an exciting year ahead.
Wishing you all a successful start to the new academic year!
Regards,
Dr. Rehan Sadiq, PhD, PEng, FCAE, FEC, FEIC, FCSCE
Professor and Distinguished University Scholar
Provost and Vice President, Academic pro tem
Newsletter Highlights
faculty initiative spotlight
UBC Okanagan hosts BIRS workshops
This summer, UBC Okanagan hosted a series of workshops for the Banff International Research Station (BIRS). Led by BIRS-UBCO Site Coordinator Dr. John Braun, ten summer research workshops brought together 20 researchers in a cross-section of STEM disciplines.
International Partnership Supports Technology in Classrooms
Last winter, UBC Okanagan launched a campaign to collect unused iClicker remotes from students on campus. While the technology is no longer used at UBC, there was an opportunity to collaborate with our long-term institutional partner, the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Ghana, to keep the technology in use.
Centralized invigilation services pilot program
Learning Services in the Office of the Provost and the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) will pilot a program in 2022/23 that will expand the level of support for invigilation at UBC Okanagan and coordinate services under the DRC.
Academic planning and Evaluation working groups
To take action on recommendations identified in the QAPA audit, the Office of the Provost is launching three new working groups that will delve into key areas to support academic planning and evaluation at UBC Okanagan.
Student affordability taskforce report
In March 2022, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the Student Affordability Task Force (SAFT) report, which includes ten recommendations to advance student affordability.
New Faculty Orientation
UBC Okanagan welcomes new faculty for the 2022/23 Academic year
This month, we welcomed new faculty, and those who joined UBC Okanagan in 2021, to campus with a series of workshops and networking opportunities to learn more about the campus supports and resources available to them, including orientations with Human Resources, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the Library and Learning Services, Teaching and classrooms (including A/V), Research and Research Services and Student Support Services.
UBC Event Diversity Toolkit
New resource supports inclusive events at UBC
The UBC Event Diversity Toolkit aims to gather resources and information in a central place to help event organizers consider diversity and inclusion when planning academic events such as conferences and workshops.
New Faces of the Okanagan
Welcome our new colleagues
New colleagues are bringing new ideas and expertise to our campus— like Sajjad Nejatie, Assistant Professor of History in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Find out more about their unique interests and why they chose UBCO.
FACULTY PROFILE
Get to know Robert Szilagyi
Born in Mako, Hungary, Dr. Robert Szilagyi had memorable experiences learning and researching at universities around the world before joining the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science as an associate professor and head of the chemistry department in 2021.
STAFF PROFILE
Meet Michelle Lamberson
Dr. Michelle N. Lamberson is the Director of Flexible Learning Special Projects in the Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic. Prior to joining UBCO’s Provost Office team in 2015, Michelle served in a variety of roles in the UBC Vancouver Provost portfolio since 2002.
Upcoming Events
Sept 28: UBC Okanagan Books of the Year
With few opportunities to come together in celebration in the past years, many faculty have realized notable successes, including publication and creative achievements. Faculty who have authored a book, edited volume or performance piece between 2020 and 2022 are invited to join us for a celebration of their work.
If you have a book, edited volume or performance piece you would like to include, please send your submission to ubco.provost@ubc.ca by Friday, Sept 2.
Aug 30: Curriculum Map Demo
Learn more about how this tool can support faculty with course and program planning, program reviews, and program proposals. Unable to attend? Support is also available through the CTL.
Sept 22: IBPOC Faculty & Staff Meet & Greet
If you are a UBCO faculty, staff or postdoctoral scholar who identifies as Indigenous, Black, and/or Person of Colour, or as a member of another racialized group, join the IBPOC Faculty and Staff meet and greet on September 22 from 3 to 5 pm. This is a space to connect and strengthen your community. This event is a collaboration between UBCO faculty and staff and the Equity & Inclusion Office.
Nov 2 to 4: 2022 International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference
UBC Okanagan will welcome internationally renowned scholars and leaders in teaching and learning as host of the 2022 International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) conference.
We’re building a community of teaching and learning excellence.
Learn how Faculties are driving academic excellence.
Student Profile: Yuen Yee Leung
New Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science alumna and former undergraduate research ambassador Yuen Yee Leung developed an interest in science at an early age growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Hong Kong . . .
2022 Reichwald Family Foundation Awards
Southern Medical Program (SMP) students Connor De Melo and Eden Dubchak are this year’s recipients of the Reichwald Family Foundation Awards.
READ MORE ABOUT THE 2022 AWARDEES
Felix Amoh-Siaw receives prestigious Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship
Felix Amoh-Siaw, PhD student in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies at UBC Okanagan, has been awarded one of Canada’s most prestigious doctoral awards.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) students unveil new mural
The latest project by students in a UBC Okanagan fourth-year visual arts course—a new mural in the Lower Mission area of Kelowna—was celebrated on June 23.
Open Awards
Nominations Open for 3M National Teaching Fellowship
Encourage your colleagues or self-nominate for the 2023 3M National Teaching Fellowship. This award recognizes faculty members who, in addition to being known for extraordinary teaching, are also active in promoting exemplary teaching in others.
BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education
The BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education recognizes outstanding contributions to the open education movement in British Columbia. Contributions may include leadership, OER development, research, or advocacy by faculty, students, support staff, or administrators.
Funding Opportunities
Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund
How do you engage communities in your research, teaching or work? The Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund helps faculty and staff partner with BC communities on joint initiatives. Get up to $1,500 for community-university collaboration and relationship building.